PARADE HISTORY

The 4th of July Parade is the oldest, longest running event in Arlington.

Started in 1965 by citizen Dottie Lynn and Church Women United, it was composed of primarily youth on red, white and blue-decorated bicycles, pedaling around Randol Mill Park.

It eventually became too large for the park path and has evolved into a two-mile, high-spirited, curb-to-curb ribbon of red, white and blue with 150 entries that rolls through downtown and UTA’s College Park District to the beat of patriotic music played by all six Arlington high schools and a variety of other musical entries.

Professionally-built floats as well as small entries designed and created by businesses, organizations, churches and youth groups also now part of the event that attracts some 75,000 spectators each year, many of whom pitch tents on the route the night before to assure they have a good place to view the two-hour patriotic pageant.

Many homeowners along the route have a tradition of hosting parade parties on their porches and lawns. And one senior citizen, who says she has seen every parade but one, rents her former home on Center St. but requires that its renters allow her to sit on its front porch once a year – just for the parade.

The parade is organized and staged by the all-volunteer non-profit organization, the Arlington 4th of July Association, that depends solely on sponsorships for funding.

Organizers say they have seen the technology for watching the parade make quantum leaps in the past 50 years. It is not only broadcast live on the Arlington Independent School District’s AISD-TV station but also streamed live on its website. It is also streamed live on radio stations by station announcers who broadcast their shows from the parade.

Spectators and entrants text about their parade experience and the entries before, during and after the parade and tweet information and photos via Twitter and post photos on Instagram.

The parade has a website and Facebook page and is active on Twitter and Instagram.

Many spectators claim to have seen all 50 parades. Udell Bell, owner of The Bedroom Shoppe, has entered 34. The Knights of Columbus hold the record for having been in all 50.

For more information on the parade, including a map of the route, go to its website at arlington4th.org.

Scroll through the timeline below to learn more about the history of the parade

Dedication

The dedication is a “THANK YOU” to all those who promote a spirit of patriotism, especially those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for the Flag. The “Thank You” goes to Arlington, for contributing to 40 years of successful Independence day celebrations. Included in this “Thank You” are our sponsors and parade participants, as well as the spectators. Grand Marshals: Past Parade Marshals

2004

To Those Who Keep The Music Coming

Grand Marshals: Arlington’s longtime proponents of music and retired AISD music directors, Jane Ellis and Dean Corey will be honored at the Fourth of July Parade this year. Dean Corey’s wife, Becky Corey, and Jane Ellis will be the parade’s Grand Marshals

Dedicated to the Lone Star State (Year of Sesquicentennial)

Dedicated to AISD

Dedicated to UTA

Grand Marshal Dr. Wendell Nedderman; UTA President

1983

Dedicated to the Fielder Museum

Grand Marshal Robert Fielder

1982

Dedicated to the memory of Carolyn Snider

Dedicated to the memory of Carolyn Snider; long-time city councilwoman, church and civic worker and ardent supporter of Arlington and the Independence Day celebration. Note: Empty car with signs on the sides at the front of the parade.

1981

Dedicated to the memory of Howard “Gumpy” Moore

Dedicated to the memory of Howard “Gumpy” Moore, who served as Parade Marshal 1965-1980. Noted: an empty car with signs on the sides at the front of the parade.